Morgan International » Finance & Treasuryhttps://www.morganintl.com
Professional Certification and Training CoursesWed, 19 Dec 2018 08:30:54 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0What Does a Research Analyst Do?https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-research-analyst-do/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-research-analyst-do/#commentsWed, 14 Nov 2018 11:12:06 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12813Within the financial investment industry, there are many positions and business types that utilize the skills of a research analyst. The position is aptly described by the title as in “research” and “analysis” which is basically what the research analyst does. The position calls for the collection and analysis of data appertaining to public companies Read more >

]]>Within the financial investment industry, there are many positions and business types that utilize the skills of a research analyst. The position is aptly described by the title as in “research” and “analysis” which is basically what the research analyst does. The position calls for the collection and analysis of data appertaining to public companies and corporations that have securities on the stock exchange.

Doing the business

The actual work of the research analyst and their team involves investigation of the businesses in question with the aim of predicting how their share prices are likely to perform. Historical data, current and predicted political decisions, and a whole raft of other data may influence these values, so the task isn’t always a straightforward one. A good research analyst is one who digs deepest and leaves no stone unturned because the quality of the data they collate is likely to have a direct effect on the desired outcome.

A fine balance of technical skill and creativity

Along with a wealth of financial skill and a sharp analytical mind, a good research analyst is one who is able to apply a certain amount of creativity to their recommendations. Their remit involves taking the raw data and applying it to the market with the best financial effect. This is a big responsibility especially when we consider that they will literally be “playing with” other people’s money.

Ethical individuals and analytic research teams are more likely to communicate realistic and minimum risk recommendations to investors looking to make their gains over the longer term.

Being thorough

Due to the huge number of variables and factors that can impact on market values, successful research analysts need to be among the most thorough and diligent individuals in the industry. A huge amount of accountability and responsibility accompanies the trust that is invested in them. To make a successful career out of research analysis, individuals need to work more on average performances over time than spectacular short-term gains.

Riding the learning curve

No one is going to get it right every single time and expertise in applying data research and analysis can only come through experience. Mistakes will surely be made by those who enter into the industry on the lower rungs of the career ladder. The ultimate success stories, however, will belong to those who first owned and then learned from the mistakes that they made. One way to speed up career progression is arguably to undertake a professional finance qualification – and you can find out more about the range, of course, we offer on the Morgan Internationalwebsite.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-research-analyst-do/feed/0Master the CFA Exam with Morgan’s Tools & Resourceshttps://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/master-the-cfa-exam-with-morgans-tools-resources/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/master-the-cfa-exam-with-morgans-tools-resources/#commentsThu, 08 Nov 2018 12:12:30 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=13116Our all-inclusive packages are specifically designed to ensure your Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam success for all three levels. In partnership with Kaplan Schweser, our packages strategically integrate Core resources, Instruction, and Review tools to give you the most effective preparation. Our packages are available in three flexible formats, Live In-Person Classes, Live Online Classes, and Self-Study Packages. And to top Read more >

]]>Our all-inclusive packages are specifically designed to ensure your Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam success for all three levels. In partnership with Kaplan Schweser, our packages strategically integrate Core resources, Instruction, and Review tools to give you the most effective preparation. Our packages are available in three flexible formats, Live In-Person Classes, Live Online Classes, and Self-Study Packages. And to top it all off, we're offering special discounts when you add any of the following items to any Morgan CFA package:

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/master-the-cfa-exam-with-morgans-tools-resources/feed/0What Does a Portfolio Manager do?https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-portfolio-manager-do/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-portfolio-manager-do/#commentsTue, 06 Nov 2018 11:07:44 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12809Portfolio management is mainly concerned with investment in the securities industry. Through the collection and analysis of data appertaining to the financial performance of a range of public companies, the portfolio manager provides the best investment advice. The most common process used by portfolio managers usually follows an established six step system. Determination of objectives Read more >

]]>Portfolio management is mainly concerned with investment in the securities industry. Through the collection and analysis of data appertaining to the financial performance of a range of public companies, the portfolio manager provides the best investment advice. The most common process used by portfolio managers usually follows an established six step system.

Determination of objectives

From single clients to large investment corporations, the portfolio manager follows the same principle which is to determine the client’s objectives and risk parameters. It follows, of course, that larger clients are likely to be utilizing larger budgets across varied investments.

Making optimal asset class choices

From equities and bonds to real estate and private equity options, the portfolio managers remit includes the next step which involves making the best choices for the nature of the client’s investment. This is likely to be tied into step one where the goals and expectations of the client’s investment are set out.

SAA or Strategic Asset Allocation

The next step in the process applied by the portfolio manager is setting the proportion of the client’s investment capital against the different assets. This will most likely be carried out at the start of the investment period to ensure that the portfolio matches the client’s risk and return goals. Balancing of these “weights” as they are often called may also be required further into the investment period and any gains may also be redistributed in this way too.

Tactical and insured asset allocation

The process of making changes during the investment period falls into either tactical or insured asset allocations (TAA and IAA). The portfolio manager may choose to utilize either of these options but never both at the same time. This enables the manager to provide some predictions that may protect the investments if values fall below a predetermined level or “floor”. information.

Risk management

The portfolio manager is responsible for minimizing the client’s risk and they achieve this by setting “benchmark” returns from historical market data and avoiding the high risks of the market’s volatility.

Performance measurement

With the use of established tools and methods, the portfolio manager will be constantly monitoring performance and using the results to make adjustments throughout the client’s investment cycle. Many of the investment industry’s classic calculating methods are also built into the latest technology and software so portfolio managers will also make use of a high level of IT skills. For more information about accreditations in the finance space, take a look at the Morgan International website.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-portfolio-manager-do/feed/0What Can I Do With My CFA Charter?https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-can-i-do-with-my-cfa-charter/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-can-i-do-with-my-cfa-charter/#commentsSun, 04 Nov 2018 10:47:21 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12795Obtaining a CFA charter (Chartered Financial Analyst) takes time, dedication, and a lot of hard work. So if you are considering pursuing it yourself you may already be wondering what you can do with it, or more precisely what career doors it is likely to open. Bearing in mind that the qualification is both highly Read more >

]]>Obtaining a CFA charter (Chartered Financial Analyst) takes time, dedication, and a lot of hard work. So if you are considering pursuing it yourself you may already be wondering what you can do with it, or more precisely what career doors it is likely to open. Bearing in mind that the qualification is both highly esteemed and recognized as an industry standard, there are several clear career opportunities that holders could venture into.

Long term career opportunities
The CFA charter is almost a given requirement for individuals who are interested in seeking a long-term career in the finance industry. Many corporations and even medium-sized companies will require such a qualification as a prerequisite even before the interview stage. Upper-level positions within larger organizations tend to demand higher levels of qualification and the CFA charter will tick those boxes.

Portfolio management
Right at the top of the jobs list for CFA holders is the position of portfolio manager with a staggering 22% of the world’s holders of the qualification holding the position. It is no surprise that those who train for it are recognized as having all the skills needed to fulfill the post. From carrying out research and collecting pertinent data to advising on and making important investment decisions, portfolio managers handle a huge level of responsibility.

Research analyst
The remit of the research analysts involves carrying out in-depth financial reviews of publically traded companies and collecting and utilizing data concerning their activities. This data is then used to make recommendations in view of the securities (stocks and shares) that specific companies deal in. This data and the role of the research analyst more often than not drive the buying and selling decisions of those investing in the markets.
With 15 percent of CFA holders working as research analysts, the role is the number 2 employment option among those who hold the qualification.

Chief Executive (CEO)
With around 7 percent of CFA charter holders ending up as CEOs, while the qualification is no guarantee of success in climbing the corporate ladder, the figures certainly speak for themselves. With financial skills figuring so highly in any business but especially in larger corporations, it should come as no surprise that the CFA just happens to be held by so many CEOs.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-can-i-do-with-my-cfa-charter/feed/0What Does A Corporate Financial Analyst Do?https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-corporate-financial-analyst-do/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-corporate-financial-analyst-do/#commentsMon, 29 Oct 2018 11:00:36 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12801Individuals who are pursuing or already hold a CFA Charter may well be considering a career in the corporate finance industry. One of the most esteemed positions available to holders of the qualification is that of Corporate Financial Analyst. Today’s turbulent financial climate and highly competitive business environment continue to provide openings for this respected Read more >

]]>Individuals who are pursuing or already hold a CFA Charter may well be considering a career in the corporate finance industry. One of the most esteemed positions available to holders of the qualification is that of Corporate Financial Analyst. Today’s turbulent financial climate and highly competitive business environment continue to provide openings for this respected and valued post.

Assisting with crucial business decisions

One of the main roles of the corporate financial analyst is to assist the business in the area of making major financial decisions. This is achieved through the collation and analysis of financial data that is utilized to discover certain factors. These may include but not be limited to details concerning profitability, solvency, and liquidity of business assets.

Reports are generated from this data and checked against other factors such as historical performance and the current state of the marketplace.

On-going analysis

The remit of the corporate financial analyst also encompasses the day to day running of the business's financial goals and the current state of play. On-going analysis of data such as budgets and forecasts is used to constantly monitor the company’s financial health. Reporting is maintained through the collection of data from all aspects of the corporation’s financial operations and used to measure key performance factors.

Utilizing the data

Through innovative software programs and key skills, the corporate financial analyst is able to measure current performance indicators against historical data. Further applications of this information would also include future forecasting and highlighting emerging trends within the company.

Keeping the management team updated

The management team looks to the corporate financial analyst to provide hard evidence that displays clear patterns that can be backed up by logical and usable explanations. This means that along with a better than average IT knowledge the position also calls for clear and concise communication skills.

Controlling costs

There can often be a fine line between profit and loss in a specific sector of a larger operation, especially where high turnovers are concerned. Consistent reporting and financial analyzing is the first line of defense in identifying any unusual or negative trends.

There is no doubt that the acquisition of the CFA is crucial for individuals who are seeking to establish a long-term career in the finance sector and the position corporate financial analyst is no exception.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/what-does-a-corporate-financial-analyst-do/feed/0Preparing For The CFA Exam – How To Do It?https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/preparing-for-the-cfa-exam-how-to-do-it/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/preparing-for-the-cfa-exam-how-to-do-it/#commentsMon, 29 Oct 2018 07:08:41 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12771Earning the CFA accreditation is likely to involve 300 hours or more of study for those aspiring to move up to this coveted level in their accountancy career. It is usually anticipated that these studies will take up to 6 months and that is entirely realistic when considering that most of those embarking on their Read more >

]]>Earning the CFA accreditation is likely to involve 300 hours or more of study for those aspiring to move up to this coveted level in their accountancy career. It is usually anticipated that these studies will take up to 6 months and that is entirely realistic when considering that most of those embarking on their CFA will already be holding down full-time jobs.

Even after a candidate has poured in all of that effort, the examination isn’t always a “done deal” - with a fair proportion of entrants missing the mark on their first attempt. This can be a very discouraging situation to arrive at after the application of so much time and effort so we thought a few helpful tips might not go amiss.

1. Plan ahead
Whatever needs to be achieved in this life there is no substitute for planning and preparation. The well-worn adage of “fail to plan and you plan to fail” sits well when you are in a situation that is going to be eating into 300 hours of your time. Scheduling a timetable for everything from study times and trial runs of the actual examination to dealing with unexpected increases in your daily workload, all need to be factored in.

2. Going it alone or seeking help
There is no shame but plenty of wisdom in pinpointing your weak points and enlisting some professional help. Whether you feel you would benefit from a professional program of on-going reviews or even more involved support, there are plenty of options available to you.

3. Identify your learning styleWhat may work for one candidate could spell disaster for another when it comes to styles of learning. From mind mapping and speed reading to having a gift for retaining information, we are all put together differently. Identifying what learning methods work best for you is something that you will want to address early in your study program.

4. Dry runsPassing exams has as much to do with how you manage the available time as the knowledge you are able to retain. There are plenty of practice papers available and that means there is no good reason why candidates shouldn’t carry out a few “dry runs” in exam-like conditions. The full exam takes 6 hours so a 50/50 split with a break for lunch is an ideal format to use with a day set aside specifically for that purpose.

5. Avoid the last minute cram
Whatever urban myths you may have heard to the contrary, leaving examination revision until the last minute is a recipe for disappointment. There lies the way of clouded judgment.

Set your sights on doing it right
Charted CFAs are well paid, respected, and virtually guaranteed lucrative employment. Nothing comes easy and hard work will be required to get to the required level. The effort in equates to rewards out and that is why approaching your CFA studies requires a right mindset and a high level of dedication.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/preparing-for-the-cfa-exam-how-to-do-it/feed/0Understanding your CFA exam resultshttps://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/understanding-your-cfa-exam-results-2/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/understanding-your-cfa-exam-results-2/#commentsThu, 25 Oct 2018 10:38:33 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12786Understanding your CFA exam results While the CFA examination itself provides a challenge on the day, interpreting those all-important results can also be rather puzzling too. In the following article, we offer some brief tips on the main facets of the standard results format to assist in understanding your CFA exam results. Pass or fail Read more >

While the CFA examination itself provides a challenge on the day, interpreting those all-important results can also be rather puzzling too. In the following article, we offer some brief tips on the main facets of the standard results format to assist in understanding your CFA exam results.

Pass or fail

The email notification that is sent to all candidates will be headed either by a “pleased to inform you that you have passed” or a regretfully informed failure. The advice will also inform you of the percentage of candidates that passed on the day.

Report explanation

The indication of either pass or did not pass accompanies a table that shows the relative performance by each topic.

The <=50%, 51-70% and >70% score bands indicate performance relative to those who failed the exam. Unfortunately, the CFAI doesn’t explain how that is calculated.

Score bands

The score bands are used to highlight the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses across the different topics and shouldn’t be compared because they vary from one exam to another.

Minimum scores for passing

A minimum score is calculated based on the overall performance of those who take part in the exam and it is never disclosed although it is rumored to be somewhere close to 70%.

Ethics adjustments

Borderline fails may be upgraded to a pass at the discretion of the examining authority if they deem there has been a strong performance in the ethics section. Unfortunately, it is a double-edged sword as it can swing the other way resulting in a pass being downgraded to a fail.

Retabulation procedures

In instances where you suspect that there has been an error in compiling your results, there is the facility to request a re-tabulation which is carried out in the form of a technical check against the grading of the paper. It is by no means an appeal and if you have failed, your best plan of action is to learn from any mistakes, dust off, and try again.

Our market-leading prep courses, instructional videos, and much more are designed to assist you in achieving your desired results. So, visit our website today and discover how we can help you to gain your CFA charter.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/understanding-your-cfa-exam-results-2/feed/0Tips for Choosing the Best CFA Prep Coursehttps://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/tips-for-choosing-the-best-cfa-prep-course/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/tips-for-choosing-the-best-cfa-prep-course/#commentsSun, 21 Oct 2018 10:17:30 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12778The CFA charter is one of the most widely recognized and coveted qualifications among those working towards long-term careers in the financial business sector. Choosing the right prep course to ensure that you achieve the best possible result is therefore of crucial importance. In the following article, we highlight some useful tips for choosing the Read more >

]]>The CFA charter is one of the most widely recognized and coveted qualifications among those working towards long-term careers in the financial business sector. Choosing the right prep course to ensure that you achieve the best possible result is therefore of crucial importance. In the following article, we highlight some useful tips for choosing the best CFA prep course.

Recommendation

Personal recommendation is always the best form of advertising and the chances are that if you are pursuing the CFA you will most likely already be employed in the industry to some degree or another. Your social and career network is, therefore, going to include at least a few individuals who have already had some experience of the CFA. Your company mentor or immediate manager may also have experience with a CFA prep course.

A proven track record

Along with a solid reputation for delivering the goods, a reputable CFA prep course provider is also likely to have a history that has provided them with a wealth of learning and instructional experience. A relative newcomer may seek to compete on price but do you really want to take chances with your future career prospects?

Authenticity

There are no laws against being thorough and performing due diligence, which usually cost you nothing but has the potential to save you big on regret at a later date. One of the questions you may want to consider during such an exercise is whether the authors of the course have qualified for the CFA themselves?

A clear tried and tested method of learning

Market leading CFA prep courses are the ones that make use of the most up-to-date learning methods. Such systems won’t leave you high and dry and devoid of that all-important support. Such companies have invested heavily in tried and tested learning methodology that is designed to make every hour spent really count.

Practice questions and mock exams

Preparing for your CFA exam is a huge commitment in your valuable time and finances so you are going to want to ensure that the prep course thoroughly caters for every aspect of the exam itself. Courses that have relevant practice questions and authentic mock exams are essential to ensure that you are fully familiar with how the examination is structured on the day.

Morgan is an expert in all aspects of CFA preparation and provides market-leading prep courses, instructional videos, and much more. Visit our website now to learn more about how we can help you to gain your CFA charter.

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/tips-for-choosing-the-best-cfa-prep-course/feed/0EY Iraq Collaborates with Morgan Internationalhttps://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/ey-iraq-collaborates-with-morgan-international/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/ey-iraq-collaborates-with-morgan-international/#commentsMon, 15 Oct 2018 09:46:16 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12836Offering Professional Certification Training Programs in Iraq Iraq, xx August 2018: EY Iraq has announced its collaboration with Morgan International - a leading provider of international professional certification and diploma programs in the areas of accountancy, finance, human resources, marketing and logistics - to enable the provision of professional training in Iraq for the Certified Read more >

Iraq, xx August 2018: EY Iraq has announced its collaboration with Morgan International - a leading provider of international professional certification and diploma programs in the areas of accountancy, finance, human resources, marketing and logistics - to enable the provision of professional training in Iraq for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credentials

The collaboration will ensure a wider spread of high-level qualifications available throughout covered territories, thus enhancing the skill set of professionals within the auditing, tax consulting and other advisory services arenas - in line with the EY slogan: ‘Building a better working world’.

Established in 1923, EY Iraq is the first EY office in the Middle East region and is the largest firm of its kind in the country - specializing in business assurance and advisory, business risk, transactions advisory and tax services. Leveraging multiple teams of experts on Iraqi rules and regulations, EY Iraq engages extensively with local government entities, state-owned enterprises, banks, oil and gas companies, and the private sector.

In parallel, Morgan International trains more than 5,000 students each year and has trained over 80,000 students since its establishment in Beirut during the mid-1990s. Moreover, it introduced the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) program to the Middle East, enhancing outreach to cover the globe. The range of professional certification qualifications offered in accountancy, finance, human resources, marketing, and logistics include CPA, CMA, CFA, CIA, CSCP, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, DipIFR, ACCA, and Digital Marketing (Digital Marketing, Social Media, SEO, Strategy & Planning).

]]>https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/ey-iraq-collaborates-with-morgan-international/feed/0CFA Report: Recent Exam Resultshttps://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/cfa-report-recent-exam-results/
https://www.morganintl.com/blog/finance-treasury/cfa-report-recent-exam-results/#commentsMon, 20 Aug 2018 08:36:31 +0000http://www.morganintl.com/?p=12633The CFA Institute has recently changed the way it reports a candidate’s exam performance. The CFA® exam results’ new format gives abundant information concerning the overall performance, performance compared to the minimum passing score, performance compared to other candidates, and performance by a specific topic. Such breakdown can be a highly important tool in organizing Read more >

]]>The CFA Institute has recently changed the way it reports a candidate’s exam performance. The CFA® exam results’ new format gives abundant information concerning the overall performance, performance compared to the minimum passing score, performance compared to other candidates, and performance by a specific topic. Such breakdown can be a highly important tool in organizing your studies across your journey, that if used properly.

Minimum Passing Score
One thing that is very clear in reporting is the minimum passing score. If your score is above the set minimum passing score, then you’re on to the next level of your CFA journey or you’ve finally passed it successfully!
However, if your score is not above the minimum passing score, then read along to know how to plan your next step.

The Confidence Interval
The top end of this interval represents the great expectations you had upon finishing your exam, which you have envisioned due to some tangible factors that happened on the day of your exam. The bottom end, however, represents your low expectations.
If the top end of the confidence interval is below the minimum passing score, then we highly recommend you re-examine your studying approach. Usually, the time commitment is the detected issue that most candidates discover a little too late.
Another mistake candidates don’t appreciate earlier in the exam preparation phase is lack of practice. Reading the material is great and all, yet practicing questions are just as vital. Settling for a week or two of practice will backfire on exam day. So, if you have set your study session duration, half of it should be also set for question practice, from the first day of studying until the very end, knowing that you should dedicate the last month solely for mock exams.

In Centiles
The CFA institute’s report discussed the 90th and 10th percentiles where only 10% of the CFA candidates have scored higher than the 90th percentile whereas 90% of the candidates have scored better than the 10th percentile.

We’ve Broken It Down for You
In the CFA exam, there’s no minimum passing score per topic where the mark for each is measured according to the standard 70% which is a score that represents an adequate level of topic mastery.
Here’s a breakdown for a theoretical Level I candidate who almost passed the exam. Let’s say he has done well in his FRA, which needs a lot of preparation by Level I and II candidates and exceeded 70%. However, derivatives have fell way below the level of decent mastery. As important and the FRA is, it is very important not to dedicate too much of attention to your studies for it at the expense of other equally or little less important areas. A candidate must be aware that poor performance in a number of the somehow smaller topics, Level I’s derivatives and alternative investments, for instance, can add up to take you to a narrow fail despite your mastery of the larger topics.

Often, such a result may be due to two reasons:
• The candidate has dedicated a too long time to master 100% of bigger areas.
• The candidate hasn’t made it to the end of the given exam preparation syllabus.

The best way to address this issue in your next attempt is to dedicate enough time for practice exams. Your last 5 or 6 weeks should include plenty of debriefs and practice exams, along with “short review sessions learning factual areas”.

What About Level III?
Level III morning exam is a written paper where candidates usually find these essay questions more difficult than the Level II item set approach. The afternoon item set performance showed a more than adequate mastery of the topics, however, an essay paper that is below average could get the total grade below the minimum passing score.
It’s not easy to measure how well was your performance on the written question since there are often multiple acceptable responses. It’s vital to understand how your answers are graded. For instance, if you were asked for 3 points, the first 3 will get credit. Don’t attempt to bombard the grader with an extra 5 points because it won’t help for it will only blow your time allocation.